Thread: Some clarification on some minor details

Hi all I have a early series 3

Chassis number 90800385 A
Engine number 90617023 A
Gearbox number 90169774 A
Front differential 90121056 A
Rear differential 90143927 B

Even though these numbers are not the same are they possibly the original components of the vehicle?

The chassis is a four piece chassis suggesting that it is an early type (1972-73 model) and also chassis number indicates that it was a CKD assembled in Australia (searched on Cliftons).

The motor is a 2.25L diesel would this have been the original motor?

Also I do not have the Vehicle ID plate that attactes to the fire wall there are two types from what I understand.
One is the 'Rover Co Ltd. SIII" and the other is the
'Rover British Leyland UK Ltd. SIII'. Which one would it have had on it originally so that I can get the right one for the vehicle?

The oval Land rover badge on the back would it have been Land Rover Australia or Land Rover England badge?

Would this car have had a VIN plate (compliance plate) attacted to the radiator support originally or would it be just prior to them being introduced? Also I have seen some that have the chassis number on them while another one did not.

I have explored all of the colours for the years I believe the vehicle to be I would like to paint it Masai Red not a common colour for series 3's, may do a test panel first to guage the colour. While the wheels I think will end up that creamy white colour (not sure of the name). Would this be original for the production period for my SWB?

Hope you can help with these little details I do wish to keep it an original/ period vehicle for its time. The entire drive train/ mechanicals have been rebuilt, this was originally some one elses project. I am led to believe it was a Land rover mechanic who looked after army vehicles north of Sydney. I am told it had some thousand of dollars spent on it to restore the mechanicals. The inside of the exhaust is still clean suggest that it has not been run in or even started and run. I am hoping that some one knows who it is. I would really like to touch base with them and see if they can assist with what has been done and if there is a box of bits possibly over looked and found since it was sold on prior to me buying it.

Here are a couple of pics I had placed elsewhwere perhaps someone may regonise the vehicle. The Yellow is not an original colour the mechanic chap who started the restoration worked with his son also ran a buissness that had something to do with hydraulic jacks, the yellow was the colour of the jacks or some other components there of. (So I was told). Does this twig anyone memory as to who it might be.


Would love to find a very good tub and tailgate, surely someone has one that they would part with that is clean and straight. It would be going to a very good project that I hope will end up as an excellent original example of this model once finished.


Cheers Garry

Originally Posted by lro11

Ther Australian complience plate on the radiator panel and the later small type on the firewall. I have also seen these plates fitted in the engine bay but only on UK vehicles.

Looks like a very nice vehicle did you purchase the stickers on the radiator support or are they just really well preserved. If purchased where can they be sourced.